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Assam devastated by floods, celebs call for donations

Assam is reeling under one of the worst flood situations in its history with more than 4,000 villages and 54 lakh people affected by it. A recent statement by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) stated that 37 people have been killed by the flood and landslides. While many of the displaced people have taken shelter in relief camps and relief distribution centres set up by the state government, rehabilitation is an uphill task.

Photo: ANI

And it’s not just the people but animals too who are suffering terribly. With about 90 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park under water, wild animals like one-horned rhinos, elephants, deer and even tigers are moving out of the park. Several viral photos and videos of animals seeking refuge on narrow ridges of dry land or floundering in the flood waters have served to highlight the plight of these animals.

Photo: Twitter/Wildlife Trust India

An exhausted tiger, who escaped the sanctuary to rest inside a house near its vicinity, has become the face of the flood-stricken wildlife in Assam. The situation at the Manas National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is equally bad.

The flooding of the Brahmaputra and other rivers during the monsoon season is an annual event in Assam, and leaves death and destruction in its wake. The weather department has warned that the flood situation could worsen in the coming days with the swollen river still flowing above the danger mark in many areas. According to latest reports, the Brahmaputra is in spate in Jorhat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri; the rivers Burhidehing at Khowang in Dibrugarh district; Subansiri river at Badatighat in Lakhimpur; Dhansiri river at at Numaligarh in Golaghat district; Jia Bharali river at Sonitpur; Kopili river at Kampur and Dharamtul in Nagaon district.

Photo: ANI

Several celebrities have spoken out about the situation in Assam and urged people to donate funds for the stricken state. Assamese sprinter Hima Das, who is in the news for winning four international golds recently, posted a fervent appeal on Twitter appealing to people to contribute to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. "Flood situation in our state Assam is very critical, 30 out of 33 districts are currently affected. So I would like to request big corporates and individuals to kindly come forward and help our state in this difficult situation," said Hima in her tweet. She has also donated half her salary to relief efforts.

Akshay Kumar donated Rs 1 crore to the CM Relief Fund. “Absolutely heartbreaking to know about the devastation by floods in Assam. All affected, humans or animals, deserve support in this hour of crisis. I’d like to donate 1cr each to the CM Relief Fund & for Kaziranga Park rescue. Appealing to all to contribute @CMOfficeAssam @kaziranga_,” he tweeted.

Priyanka Chopra, who is the brand ambassador for Assam Tourism expressed her distress and called for donations. “Extremely devasted by all the news coming in from #Assam and other parts of India. It’s heartbreaking to read about the displacement and loss of life. My prayers with those affected. Please donate at https://cm.assam.gov.in/relieffund.php and https://donate.oxfamindia.org/assam-floods-2018”

Actor Adil Hussain exhorted his industry colleagues to donate generously, “Please spread the word to donate generously for #AssamFloods. Sonam. I will really be grateful thank you @sonamakapoor @RandeepHooda @AnilKapoor.”

Cricketer Virender Sehwag tweeted too, “Assam, Bihar ,Uttar Pradesh ,Tripura are reeling with floods. It’s time we stand up and support every state.” Fellow cricketer Suresh Raina called for donations too.